Take Five: Notable Tracks from the Flaming Lips

A modern-day psychedelic band from the unlikeliest place – Oklahoma – The Flaming Lips began as an outsider group with a small but dedicated cult following. They band broke through to the mainstream listening audience with a surprise hit single in 1993, but the Flaming Lips’ greatest achievement – and its most creatively fertile era – commenced with the release of 1999’s The Soft Bulletin. Widely hailed as one of the best albums of the ‘90s, The Soft Bulletin was a success with both listeners and critics. The group has released many albums since, building on the success of that record. Today the group features only one original member – idiosyncratic vocalist and front man Wayne Coyne – but the band’s loyal and passionate following remains as strong as ever.

This years marks the 25th anniversary of the release of The Soft Bulletin. In observance of that milestone, here are five must-hear Flaming Lips tracks that span the group’s 38-year-plus history.

“She Don’t Use Jelly” from Transmissions from the Satellite Heart (1993)
Up to this point, Oklahoma’s finest hadn’t found mainstream success with their music, and there was little reason to think that would change. But then this tune with distinctly weird and wacky lyrics was selected for inclusion on episodes of two then-popular TV series: Beavis and Butthead and Beverly Hills, 90210. Released as as single, “She Don’t Use Jelly” reached #9 on the U.S. alternative chart, the only time that a Flaming Lips song has charted in the U.S. (In England, however, the band has scored no less than five Top 40 singles.)

“Bad Days” from Clouds Taste Metallic (1996)
Combining sentimentality, humor and quirkiness, “Bad Days” displayed a sunny optimism amid the understanding that the world is complicated, often unhappy place. The song’s video waded into ‘70s nostalgia with its use of vintage bicycles. At this point The Flaming Lips hadn’t cultivated the wide audience they’d soon enjoy, so many people only belatedly discovered this track when it was included on a 2005 video compilation, VOID.

“Race for the Prize” from The Soft Bulletin (1999)
Working with co-producer David Fridmann, the Flips crafted their finest work to date (and arguably the best album of their career). The Soft Bulletin was a near-seamless blend of weirdness and melody, distilling the best of ‘90s musical trends into a work that built on ‘60 psychedelia while still sounding fresh and new. Steven Drozd’s role as the group’s sonic architect reached new heights. The heart-rending story at the core of “Race for the Prize” struck a chord with listeners, too.

“Fight Test” from Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots (2003)
A concept album of sorts, Yoshimi found Coyne, Drozd and their band mates bending the Flaming Lips’ trademark sound toward an even more ambitious goal. But as always, it wouldn’t be necessary to fully comprehend the story line (such as it was) to enjoy the oddball yet irresistible melodies at the heart of their songs. “Fight Test” is one of many highlights on Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots.

“The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song” from At War with the Mystics (2006)
The dense layering of Flaming Lips songs often means that the group’s catchy melodies aren’t always immediate; they can take a few spins to reveal themselves. But “The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song” is an exception to that rule; its lyrics encourage singalong, albeit in that wobbly, barely-in-tune style so closely associated with Wayne Coyne.